Historically, the law has two copies. One copy is for those who are the least embraced by a community, town, state or within a country. The other copy is for those who are seated in power, wealth, politically connected or feared by others. This argument can easily be traced by at least 2000 years. In the Roman Empire history records a man named Felix. Felix was born somewhere between 5 and 10 A.D. According Tacitus he was appointed the position of procurator though the influence of his brother Pallas. Felix was cruel and ruled by taking bribes and utilizing threats and fear according to Josephus in Antiquity of The Jews. Felix’s style of rule lead to more crime because individuals of status knew that with the proper bribes their crimes would potentially be overlooked. The politics governing Rome of 2000 years past in many ways became the blueprint of our current form of government that we call a democracy. Democracy has the declarations that were the stated, accepted, and written will of the people. Prominent individuals such as Felix understood the written declarations for a price could be ignored, modified, enforced inconsistently toward those who were willing to pay monetarily or with a type of “this for that” favor. The entire duration of Felix’s rule was constantly filled with unrest and ongoing conflict within his ranks.

An excellent illustration of the above story regarding Felix is found in the book of Acts 24:24-27. And after certain days, when Felix came with his wife Drusilla, which was a Jewess, he sent for Paul, and heard him concerning the faith in Christ. And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when i have a convenient season, i will call for thee. He hoped also that money should have been given him of Paul, that he might loose him: wherefore he sent for him the oftener, and communed with him. But after two years Porcius Festus came into Felix’ room: and Felix, willing to show the Jews a pleasure, left Paul bound.

The facts of Acts 24:24-27 are: Felix and his wife Drusilla after hearing Paul, knew that he was a man of integrity, worthy of respect, knowledgeable, respected government and loved God. Felix and his wife Drusilla were intimidated by the astuteness of Paul because of their personal desires for adoration and control. Felix and his wife Drusilla attempted to set a political and religious trap to discredit Paul; if he had offered a bribe it would be an admission to him having a flawed character. Felix and his wife Drusilla were willing to bring public shame upon the must upright man of their day because the refused to be broken by compromising his values.

For individuals who do not necessarily ascribe to the Bible as factual, there can be no denying of the external documentation of how Felix and others within the Roman Empire governed. Equally, there can be no denying that our form of government is a derivative of the Roman form of government complete with the Executive, Judicial and Legislative branches.

Philippians 3:16 might serve as a 21st Century reminder that our United States Constitution is the rule book for every citizen of America and it should not be up for bribes, ignoring, or retribution toward those that one disagrees. Nevertheless, wereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. kjv

In the words of George Washington: the due administration of justice is the firmest pillar of good Government

Exactly 365 days ago I made several decisions, which are also known as resolutions. that to a large degree have been adhered to as I approach 2016. Most people who are successful in making improvements throughout the year have the following mindset:

A clear understanding about why they should change

A plan that at least is a blueprint mapping the path to change

A support system that holds one accountable

An attitude that being knocked down isn’t to be seen as defeat

A belief system which allows for incorrect decisions

When 2016 opens its door in just a few hours, walk through them with an optimism that a setback is never to be accepted as failure but an opportunity for reflection, restructuring, and returning to the task that you are resolved to master.

The first shots of the Civil War were actually fired in Charleston, South Carolina. On December 20, 1860 South Carolina became the first state to secede from The United States of America based upon its adamant defense of slavery and it’s insistence upon “states rights” to rule itself which translates into making it’s own rules in all matters regardless of how such rules would impact the life of others. Read for yourself what the South Carolina Assembly wrote for their justification to secede:

“We affirm that these ends for which this Government was instituted have been defeated, and the Government itself has been made destructive of them by the action of the non-slaveholding States. Those States have assume the right of deciding upon the propriety of our domestic institutions; and have denied the right of property established in fifteen of the States and recognized by the Constitution; they have denounced as sinful the institution of slavery; they have permitted open establishment among them of societies, whose avowed object is to disturb the peace and to eloign the property of the citizens of other States. They have encouraged and assisted thousands of our slaves to leave their homes; and those who remain, have been incited by emissaries, books and pictures to servile insurrection.”

As early as 1861 The Citadel Military Academy ordered cadets to fire the first shots of the Civil War on a Federal ship attempting to enter the harbor in Charleston. Ironically it is the Citadel that to this day, July 10, 2015, continues to fly the Confederate flag in South Carolina. The Citadel had a history of training those recruited militia individuals who were fighting against The United States of America.

The American Civil War (1861–1865), among other names also known as the War Between the States, was a civil war in the United States of America. Eleven Southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America, also known as “the Confederacy”. This new “Confederacy” led by Jefferson Davis also had it’s own flag….The Confederate Flag. Those Southern States were see as traitors against the United States of America.

The Civil War remains the deadliest war in American history, resulting in the deaths of 620,000 soldiers and an undetermined number of civilian casualties. Ten percent of all Northern males 20–45 years of age died, as did 30 percent of all Southern white males aged 18–40. Victory for the North meant the end of the Confederacy and of slavery in the United States, and strengthened the role of the federal government.

It becomes clearer why even today so many Southern States are opposed to the role of the Federal Government. The Federal Government now as was during the period of The Civil War seen as “The Federal Union” which was against the rights of South Carolina and Southern States who advocated slavery and state rights. These Southern States had a deeply held financial and self serving agenda for wanting to have a Confederacy:

As of 1860 the percentage of Southern families that owned slaves has been estimated to be 43 percent in the lower South, 36 percent in the upper South and 22 percent in the border states that fought mostly for the Union. Half the owners had one to four slaves. A total of 8000 planters owned 50 or more slaves in 1850 and only 1800 planters owned 100 or more; of the latter, 85% lived in the lower South, as opposed to one percent in the border states.

Ninety-five percent of African-Americans lived in the South, comprising one third of the population there as opposed to one percent of the population of the North, chiefly in larger cities like New York and Philadelphia. Consequently, fears of eventual emancipation were much greater in the South than in the North.

The Confederate Flag in the eyes of individuals who know the history of Slavery, States Rights and why Southern States seceded from The United States of America is a clear sign of ongoing rebellion against the government of The United States of America. The bigger message communicated by the Confederate flag is it’s image of an ongoing rebellion and protest against The United States Federal Government for its role in abolishing the enterprise system set up by the Southern States to maintain a financial system funded upon the product of crops, slave trade, and formation of a political and religious system deemed right in their own sight.

All American citizens should rejoice together that what was the symbol for “rebellion”, “treason”, “disregard for fairness”, “disregard for godliness”, “disregard for remorse” and “disregard for one nation united as one” has finally been removed from the public view in South Carolina. The paramount next step is much more challenging. How do you remove those things held within the hearts of people that may still be inside of them? The external flag was a manifestation of the internal heart of those who over 150 years later desired that it not be removed.

“Don’t you understand yet?” Jesus asked, “Anything you eat passes through the stomach and then goes into the sewer. But the words you speak come from the heart – that’s what defiles you. For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander. Matthew 15:16-20

Earlier today in a 6 to 4 decision The United States Supreme Court has ruled that according to the “Law of The United States Constitution” Marriage is now legal according to the government.

The Supreme Court has found a constitutional right to same-sex marriage, striking down bans in 14 states and handing a historic victory to the gay rights movement that would have been unthinkable just 10 years ago.

According to Supreme Just Kennedy, “The word that keeps coming back to me in this case is millennia,” he said then, referencing the amount of time societies had considered marriage to be only between a man and a woman.

But Kennedy was swayed by the fact that hundreds of thousands of married same-sex couples already exist and that they — and their children — are being treated differently by the law when they move to a state that doesn’t recognize their union. The states in the case also had trouble articulating why they had a compelling reason to deny that recognition, saying only that it was in the interest of children to only allow couples of the opposite sex to marry.

The responsibility of each person in the world not just the United States of America is to respect each individual as a person who is created by God for his glory and honor. Each individual in the entire world has a responsibility to acknowledge that we are created in the image of God and honor our creator for investing inside every person the ability to show joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, patience, love and an ability to forgive one another.

Today’s Supreme Court ruling in a strange way has somehow concluded that being created in the imagine of God somehow allows the entire world population who is created in God’s image to “legally” engage in transactions as decided by local jurisdictions instead of our creator.

What must also be considered is globally what is seen as the expectation of all people in matters. For instance, the ruling today by our Supreme Court represents only a small sampling of how this same topic is viewed worldwide by over 195 Countries instead of a sampling of a few:

The United States’ State Department recognizes 195 independent countries around the world. Their list of 195 countries reflects the political agenda of the United States of America and its allies. Missing from the State Department’s list is one entity that may or may not be considered a country, depending on who you talk to.

As it stands, the following 18 countries have legalized same-sex marriage and two allow the union to take place in some jurisdictions.

COUNTRIES WHERE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IS LEGAL

2000 The Netherlands

2003 Belgium

2005 Canada

2005 Spain

2006 South Africa

2009 Sweden

2009 Norway

2010 Portugal

2010 Iceland

2010 Argentina

2012 Denmark

2013 Uruguay

2013 New Zealand

2013 France

2013 England / Wales

2013 Brazil

2014 Luxembourg

2014 Scotland

COUNTRIES WHERE SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IS LEGAL IN SOME JURISDICTIONS

2003 United States

2009 Mexico

Source: Pew Research Center, January, 2015

Here’s my summary, statistics was a class that I didn’t like in my Masters or PhD studies but it has proven to be helpful in so many ways. But for this analysis statistical analysis isn’t necessary only simple division of 18/195 = .0923076923. This means that today’s Supreme Court ruling is in the eyes of the world a minority ruling instead of a majority ruling. The Supreme Court ruling today represents more like a 10% in favor verses 90% opposed world ruling.

In God’s sight it would look more like 0% in favor vs. 100% opposed to the Supreme Court’s ruling.

Acts 5:29-32 Peter and other apostles replied: “We must obey God rather than human beings! The God of our ancestors raised Jesus from the dead whom you killed by hanging him on a cross. God exalted him to his own right had as Prince and Savior that he might bring Israel to repentance and forgive their sins.We are witnesses of these things, and so is the Holy Spirit, whom God has given to those who obey him. When they heard this, they were furious and wanted to put them to death.

In the process of obeying God, we always respect the humanity of everyone. In the process of obeying God, we never speak in an unkind manner against our government but rather always pray for those that are leading our country.

Almost 40 years ago I began preaching the gospel of Christ. What happened last night in Charleston, South Carolina at the Emanuel AME Church touched me dearly. Weekly, preachers, pastors, bishops, ministers, elders hearts are made glad to see individuals assemble midweek after a long day at work, challenges with health and so many other day to day matters. My heart dropped as I prepared for bed at 10:00 p.m. on Wednesday night following a great day serving God. I had an excellent evening of fellowship at our 6:00 p.m. church meal, being blessed by a wonderful 7:30 p.m. study on the topic “Masters and Servants” only to arrive home and on the 10:00 p.m. news to hear about a church being targeted as the sight of a mass hate murder.

The Emanuel AME Church is considered the mother church of the AME churches in America. It was reported that 9 of the 13 people assembled to pray and study the Word of God and encourage each other was killed by an individual who entered as a wolf among sheep. The gunman, just like a wolf among sheep, had no regard for anyone or anything except their own self serving desires.

The common ground for every place of assembly in the United States is not what the religious positions were of those inside the Emanuel AME Church, but rather the fact that it was a place of assembly for those who believed in the God of Abraham, Issac and Jacob. The common ground is the embrace of Jesus as the one Lord of the Christian community and for that purpose were they assembled on last night together. If this could happen to Emanuel AME, it could also happen in any place of worship in the United States. It’s my prayer today that collectively we can all rally around the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston in support of God, Christ the Holy Spirit and the desire they had to learn more about God’s will for their lives.

Every person in the entire world who embraces the deity of Christ and the Sovereignty of God should grieve and embrace and support the Emanuel AME Church in Charleston in time of their grief. Rejoice with them who rejoice and weep with those who weep. Romans 12:15

In towns, communities, neighborhoods, schools and homes throughout America, criminals feel safe from being caught, turned in and even being looked down upon by the citizens they see and talk with daily. Imagine living somewhere knowing who the drug dealers are, who stole someones car, who broke into someones home, who mugged a child or adult just out for a walk, who shot up a playground, who murdered someone, who raped someone, etc. and there is no public outrage. Imagine living somewhere and the community refuses to march in protest and demand the criminals be given over to the authorities. Imagine living somewhere and the community refuses to hold candlelight visuals and cry in the streets in front of known crack houses and street hangouts where criminals congregate.

Throughout urban America the above senario plays almost daily sadly without voices of righteous indignation. Throughout urban America criminals have concluded that as long as they confine their criminal behaviors upon others within the urban grid they are safe from community protest and accountability. Throughout urban America is the unwritten message becoming one that says as long as crime is committed by those who look like us we are not bothered? Throughout urban America is the unwritten message becoming one that says as long as our children are in fear of those who terrorize, demoralize, show self hate, show no respect for others in our community look like us we are not bothered?

Clinically the term emeshement refers to a family that has little to no boundaries defining acceptable and unacceptable behaviors, actions and attitudes. Inside an emeshed family system, each individual has a designated dysfunctional role. Within an emeshed family, dysfunction is tolerated within the immediate family but if similar behaviors, actions and attitudes manifests from any outside source the emeshed family rallies together and fight as one unit against any resembling acts coming from outside the family. After the emeshed dysfunctional family successfully or unsuccessfully fights against outsiders they return to their regular practice of being dysfunctional toward each other. Until dysfunctional communities address themselves internally, any efforts by outsiders will possibly be viewed as an attack. If in fact there is such a thing as a dysfunctional community, how should the community begin addressing itself internally?

Aug 10, 2014 · A toddler in Prince George’s County dies in a shooting. Now police are looking for the suspect.

July 31, 2014 – Prince George’s County police are looking for at least two suspects in the fatal shooting of a Bowie, Md., man who was gunned down in his home early Thursday morning, authorities said.

February 24, 2014 – CAPITOL HEIGHTS, Md. —Prince George’s County police are investigating what they called one of the worst crimes they’ve seen in years.Officials said three people were shot to death inside an apartment in the 5200 block of Marlboro Pike in Capitol Heights on Saturday night.

The three opening lines in each of the stories above took place in the wealthiest per capita African American County in the United States of America. There seem to be something missing from the Maryland stories that is highly visible in the Ferguson, Missouri current events. Without challenging readers to figure this one out, let me be direct and just tell you what I think is the difference. There is no public outcry about any of the murders in Maryland beyond close family and close friends, although each happened in a “black” community that is policed by a large white police presence that I believe is in disproportion to the population. The lack of public outcry has nothing to do with the police department but that the “black” community does not get as angry about “blacks” killing blacks as the community does when a “black” is beat or killed by a white police officer or just a white person.

Until the African American community is willing to take the same responsibility for the safety and accountability of those who shoot, steal, abuse and disrespect its neighborhoods as when “violated” by whites, neighborhoods will not be esteemed highly by anyone, not even the police. Where is the coming together of communities when a black murders one of its own children, rape one of its own daughters, steal from one of its own neighbors or God forbid when they murder one of its own black people? Why don’t we demand that information be released by the “don’t snitch club”? Why don’t we demand that addresses and names be confidentially given at least to black officials such as a black news person, or a black public official or a black merchant or someone in authority?

How in the name of common sense can a community be taken serious when through its internal failure to hold citizens accountable, suddenly a community expects the judicial system to drop everything and jump through hoops when a white harms a black man, woman, boy or girl in the community. Someone said, “respect comes to those who respect themselves”. The crisis in Ferguson, Missouri exploded due to the shooting of the 18 year old black man, but remember what quality of life was accepted as a part of the “don’t snitch code” prior to the crisis.

Are you an enabler of chaos in your community? Enablers are simply those who support by direct or indirect means the acts or attitudes that are contrary to a safe society. There is not a pastor, politician, civic group available designed to stop community chaos. Behavioral change begins in the heart of people one person at a time. Communities will only change in proportion to how the attitudes and self worth of those inside the community change. Whether it is Ferguson, Missouri, Prince George’s County, Maryland or your community, the things manifested inside a community are an outpouring of accepted expectations in the community.

What would you do if you were faced with the following dilemma: In order to insure a 30% raise, or to increase your potential for landing the career promotion of your dream just say publicly “God Is Dead”. What would you do if you were promised by the most desired (finest, cutest) bachelor or bachelorette in the entire world that not only will they go out with you, but they would love to marry you after you say publicly “God Is Dead”. Finally, what would you do if you were promised perfect health, endless access to all the money you will ever need in your entire lifetime and that of your children’s children if you simply say publicly “God Is Dead”. Once again I just returned from watching another movie. The movie I saw today was God Is NOT Dead. A freshman college student choose to stand in the Power of God’s might against an atheist professor who assured a class of 80 students a 30% grade advantage if the would simply write on a sheet of paper three words and sign their name and then turn the paper in to him. The three words were, “God Is Dead”. Any person refusing to follow the professor’s directive would likely fail the class. One student who held faith in God as a Christian refused to sign his faith away and was under threat of failure in class, his girlfriend of six years left him. Another young lady who was Muslim was caught by her family listening to the Bible on her cell phone and was beaten and thrown out of her families home.

The only thing that made the above individuals different from their peers was their internal understanding of the power inside them through the power of God through Christ. The difference the individuals made by being examples of power ultimately lead a movement inside many others to unleash the power that was already inside them. The movie did an excellent job conveying an attitude that power is activated by each persons faith. The movie did an excellent job conveying the message that once power is understood and embraced, indeed one is capable of doing all things through Christ who keeps powering them. There are many other scenes in this movie where individuals were being robbed by the bank robber of their soul. The bank robber is always the devil and he was dressed to the nines in deceptive clothing of education, corporate power, importance in the eyes of people. For two hours the theater was captivated by watching the power of God work through people operating in their purpose calling doing battle against character after character operating outside their God given potential attempting over and over again to discourage individuals by making withdrawals after withdrawals into their soul. The ending of the movie was so uplifting. When a person walks in the power of God’s might they not only are growing closer to God personally but also may be the example of power to others causing them to allow God to power their life. This is not just a feel good movie but rather a movie that challenges individuals to unleash their best work every day even as stated by Todd Henry author of Accidental Creative and Die Empty. This movie was almost like watching onscreen today’s sermon about The Baptism of Jesus in Matthew 3:13 – 17. Jesus understood his purpose and would not allow anyone to talk him into a shortcut or bypassing the path to purpose. Are you living life before the world in a manner that cry out God Is Not Dead? In your work world do you conduct yourself in a manner that cry out God Is Not Dead? In your dedication to prayer, worship, study of God’s Word do you model a message to those you are in touch with that God Is Not Dead? When was the last time you invited a person to come and worship with you in order for them to experience assembling with others who serve The Living God who is Good All The Time and All The Time He Is Good. Invite three people to come with you this Sunday to experience The God Who Is Not Dead….that is unless you have signed the piece of paper and passed it in that has made a statement to those in your circle that your God is not able.

1. You show God is not able by never talking about how he has delivered you

2. You show God is not able by not encouraging other to try him for themselves

3. You show God is not able by not making Him a priority in your own personal life

Gunshots, sirens, screams, fights, body bags, fear, anxiety, worry, drug abuse, inability to focus are contributing things normally linked to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Imagine being exposed to such an environment day in and day out for weeks, months and God forbid years. According to the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders there are at least 5 Criterion that must be met in order to diagnose PTSD:

1b. An individuals response to events such as those in Criterion 1a are of intense fear, helplessness or even horror and agitated or disorganized behavior in younger children.

2. The intensity experienced in 1b of fear, helplessness, horror, agitation and disorganized behavior resulting from exposure to events must be a persistent re-exposure to the traumatic event(s).

3. The over exertion of energy to avoid stimuli associated the the initial traumatic event and a numbing of general responsiveness

4. There is an abnormal and persistent increased arousal in the here and now that is not in line with what is happening presently.

5. The abnormal expression of 2 – 4 above must be manifested in a person for at least on month.

6. The abnormal expressions of an individual must cause clinically significant distress or impairment in social, occupational, or other important areas of daily functions.

Surprisingly it is easier for individuals to determine that individuals who have gone off to war and returned might be acting differently than it is to make a similar determination of individuals in the general population. I recall as a boy hearing my parents talk about men who had fought in World War 2 and Korea who weren’t the same as before going off to war. The general term used to describe the changed behavior was “shell shocked”. Men that I grew up with went to Viet Nam and some came back very agitated, anxious, paranoid, fearful and even addicted to drugs. Over the past decade ten’s of thousand men and women who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan have been impacted by road side bombs, direct gun fights, rocket propelled grenades and suicide bombers. War is an incubator for Post Traumatic Stress Disorder and when our men and women return home they as well as family and friends truly hope everything will be as normal as it was before they were deployed. The sad reality in far too many cases however is that war is an ongoing traumatic theater for the duration of one’s deployment.

Traumatic events according to The Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders are not restricted to combat in the military. Violent personal attacks such as sexual assaults, physical assaults, robbery, kidnapping, torture, imprisonment or even automobile accidents may also cause PTSD. Children and adults in communities around the United States of America are experiencing PTSD and are many times dismissed as being socially maladjusted. The communities where gunshots, murder, robbery, street violence exists daily, both young and old, black and white are living in exposure to the possibility of becoming victims of PTSD. When such individuals leave the stress inducing environments of their upbringing, there is the misconception that they are able to function in a more stable work environment, a more stable community, a more stable church, a more stable marriage or more stable social settings free of the stress inducing traumatic pass. Without any warning and regardless of where a person might find themselves, something may trigger inside a person and they will actually experience anew the same emotions as what happened in the war zones of Iraq, Viet Nam, or even where one grew up.

Children who were raped or constantly exposed to domestic violence and or neglect, or constantly lived in fear or witnessed chaos, might easily experience undiagnosed PTSD as an adult. What happened at Fort Hood Texas on yesterday must be studied from the soldiers history not just based on his apparent state of mind on the day of the event, but what was his complete history from childhood, to marriage, to becoming a soldier, to the experience in Iraq and the impact of his most recent move to Texas.

Do you know individuals whose behaviors appear to be very unpredictable or agitated, suspicious of others in a manner that does not seem to bother most other individuals?

Did you know that Noah was protected by giants called “Watchers”? Neither did I. Did you know that a direct ancestor of Adams son Cain ten generations after Cain went into the Ark? Neither did I. Did you know that only Noah and his wife and his three sons and the wife of Shem were the only people to enter the Ark? Neither did I. Did you know that Shem’s wife bore twin girls while in the Ark? Neither did I. Did you know that Ham murdered that descendant from Cain while on the Ark? Neither did I. Did you know that Methuselah prior to Noah beginning building the Ark gave Noah a seed to plant and all of a sudden trees sprang up to provide wood for the building of the Ark? Neither did I. Did you know that just before the flood Ham went looking for a wife and almost got her back to the Ark but she was killed? Neither did I. The just released movie Noah is an absolute mockery to Old Testament History. I now understand why this movie wasn’t recommended for children. My 10 year old grandson would have been as frustrated as we were after sitting through distortion after distortion after distortion through the entire movie. Oh, I almost forgot, did you know that Noah’s two other sons Ham and Japheth had no wives when they landed on dry ground and exited the ship? Neither did I. Did you know that prior to Methuselah’s death he healed Shem’s wife of her inability to bear children? Neither did I. That is until today when I saw the movie Noah starring Russell Crowe.

I have never been so dumbfounded by a movie in all my life. Even my wife who has accused me in times past of picking holes in movies just to be critical walked away as frustrated and disappointed as I. When the movie ended people of all races and probably all religious backgrounds were completely silent. A better description would be shocked, bewildered, puzzled, feeling tricked, feeling as if the movie makers used the name Noah to trick Godly people into the theater. This movie was an absolute mockery to the Genesis account of the life of Noah and the great flood. I would say under normal conditions for you to go and see it for yourself, but in this case I suggest you send the cost of your ticket to a homeless shelter, or donate it to a cause at a local school, or put a few extra dollars in your churches contribution plate. This movie was terrible. And that’s all I have to say about that. Except to take time and read Genesis chapters 6 through 8 for yourself to see if any of the things that I saw in this movie are found in the text.